Brian Clough Interview
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Clough: I'm so sorry about Albion's plight
by Andy Naylor
Memories: Clough has some happy memories of his time at the Albion
Brian Clough is keeping his fingers crossed that Albion scale the
heights again.
The football legend revealed his sorrow at the Seagulls' plight in the
Evening Argus 'Goodbye Goldstone' Supplement April 22, 1997.
Former Goldstone boss Clough said in an exclusive interview: "I'm
always sad to hear about any football club being in a mess, so you can
imagine how I feel when it concerns one that employed me.
"They've been in the news more recently for the fact that they have
left the Goldstone Ground.
"Somewhere along the line the club's demise must be on one or two
people's conscience and my only hope is that out of all the trouble and
trauma they have experienced, Brighton will re-emerge as a footballing
force once more. I'm keeping my fingers crossed."
Clough spent a bitter sweet eight months in charge of Albion from
November 1973 to July 1974 before joining Leeds for an even briefer
stay.
The bitter included a humiliating 8-2 home defeat by Bristol Rovers,
the sweet a surprisingly cosy relationship with the board.
"I know I was only at the Goldstone five minutes, and I know it was not
the most distinguished episode in my football career," he said.
"Yes, I remember the Bristol Rovers experience, even though I have
tried very hard to forget it! And yes, I also recall not too fondly a
non-league side called Walton and Hersham putting me on my backside in
an FA Cup replay.
"The Bristol match was televised and it must have been on the box more
times than Coronation Street. Somebody was rejoicing in the fact that
Cloughie's team had eight put past them.
"But I did have some happy memories at Brighton and one of the most
vivid for me was the enormous backing I received from the then chairman
Mike Bamber and his board of directors.
"They were tremendously ambitious and supportive and I was delighted
for them a few years later to see Brighton climb to the heights of the
old First Division."